This is the result of Lent 2012, where I gave up a possession everyday. Here are the results! Try it yourself, it’s challenging but oh-so freeing.
A big one for Day 1! I got this drum set mainly out of Black Friday impulse, but also out of excitement. I’ve used it twice because it’s actually a really terrible machine.
In high school, the varsity girls basketball team off-season conditioning included an intense jump-rope program. I bought one at the time, got another one recently. Why in world do I have two jump ropes?
This is not a purse, but actually a portable speaker. I don’t think I need this lame “non-cash award” from my college TV-station production job to remind me that I have some skills in camera work…right?
I got this funky little number at Ross for only $5. The tags are still on it. I guess it didn’t look as flattering as I hoped.
I am too embarrassed to wear this SpongeBob drawstring backpack around. I admittedly love it and the show, but I sadly hide this in the depths of my closet.
I have always wanted to own yellow sunglasses. But being that I rarely take off my prescription glasses due to my fear of contacts, I don’t wear these much unless I decide to look like a fool with double eye wear.
I got these inexpensive shoes in hopes I’d feel fun and wear them. Turns out I’m not that exciting…
I had big dreams for this. It obviously failed after using it zero times.
I love journalism that pushes the limits, but this on sale book was a bit of a disappointment. Maybe it was just a bit too uninteresting to print.
Mariah Carey’s “Always Be My Baby” is admittedly one of my favorite songs of all time. After purchasing for only $1, I was extremely misled as both these tracks were simply remixes that barely had any remnants of the original song.
Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez did a great job bringing the “grindhouse” b-movie entertainment with this double feature. As entertainingly crude and full of gore as it was, I realized it’s not something I’d decide to pop in again.
Meet my laser scissors. I’m sure some who know how stubborn I am about these tools are surprised that I actually decided to give them up. The idea of have a laser pointer built-in is great, but when you get to cutting, it moves where you move…
I went to my closet and saw my pile of old jeans. I decided to commit to my new collection of skinny denim and give up the boot-cut.
Having a clip-on lamp was really useful when sleeping on bunk beds throughout college. Being about 3 years out, I don’t really have a use for them anymore.
Besides the one I’ve had since the day I was born, this is the first stuffed animal I actually saw and thought was cute. I’m sad to see it go, but it’ll help affirm my principles on animal-human interaction.
One of my favorite students from the Korean after-school program decided to thank me by buying me this amazing gift. Imagining this 9 year-old with her mom and 5 year-old brother at Victoria’s Secret is hilarious, and of course so thoughtful and sweet. I feel terrible about giving it up, but I’m never going to use it (even though I used to love this scent!)
If you notice, the only thing I wrote on this calendar was when my birthday was. I obviously know when my birthday is, so I did not make use of this wonderful gift from my former supervisor. Sorry Jerome, I failed you.
One of the things I collect is cassettes from the 80s and 90s. Erasure’s “A Little Respect” is one of my favorite songs and giving this up was like pulling teeth.
The book light is such a cool invention. It has allowed me to stay up in the dark discovering places like Middle Earth, Hertfordshire, 4th dimensions and learning culinary tips and courtroom rules. But…I have an iPad now.
I used to collect all EW magazines since 1999, but stopped a few years ago. I recently renewed my subscription again and realized the same pattern was happening underneath my bed, so I gave up a pile of them.
My friend Stephen won this for me at one of those claw arcade games. Its name is Cookie Dough, and I feel bad for giving it away. But I’m pretty sure he got this to somewhat mock my dislike toward animals.
I’m living paycheck to paycheck, scraping every cent I have to get by. So the idea of a piggy bank is great, but it’s only collecting dust now.
These cute, pretty hair clips were given to me by another student along with Hello Kitty stickers. I decided I would never wear these clips, and simply hold onto the stickers to fulfill the sentiment inside me.
Rocketdog shoes are sweet. They’re easy to slip on, comfy, and look cool. But I realized I never really wear these shoes and I could use one less pair of sneakers.
My older sister Vera gave me this backpack after she had no use for it. I couldn’t bear to let it be tossed because I loved the corduroy so much. People have made fun of me for it, and of the 4 backpacks I own, this one was the least useful. It’s so 90s and cheesy! Like wearing overalls on your back.
I own way too many t-shirts. I used to be the queen (and still kind of am) of the cardigan + tee combo. I love wearing graphic T’s because I think it gives you an opportunity to send a message, to tell something about yourself, or just wear all sorts of weird, funky things. But living less in excess must be the lesson here.
I’m pretty much over this book and don’t plan on reading it again.
This water bottle is still in good condition, and I actually received it at the InterVarsity staff interest meeting my senior year. It has served me well, but I shall pass it on now. Yes, I thought I lost this so I bought another one, only to find it in the depths of my car. So I’ll keep the newer one (it keeps track of how much water I drink!)
I love Play-Doh! I bought a few sets of these for my students when I was teaching claymation. I kept a box for myself thinking that I’d create some more shorts on my own, but like a typical ENFP, the follow-through floated away.
If you own a bag like this, there’s a high chance you were a college student that Target brought buses to in order to get you to come to their midnight shopping event. It’s a genius and fun ploy, and so I decided to crash the party after being over a year out of college by driving there on my own (you can judge me, I admit my ridiculousness). I never used any of the free stuff, but still a worthy trip.
The Comic Sans font turned me off after reading it again. I don’t care that it’s filled with awesome facts. I am sick of looking at that font.
My dad found this camera bag at my high school graduation and kept it. He gave it to me but I have never owned a DSLR or any camera close to that size to use it.
I loved this wallet I got for such an amazing deal at Ross. Despite its dirty and overused look, I think it could still serve someone well with some polishing.
These are really awesome photo clip frames that I never used. It was hard to give up something with such potential, but I can imagine how this would not help in my already overly cluttered desk.
I don’t know why I own three different hole punchers. Actually, I don’t really know why I own a hole puncher at all.
Before the theaters started actually recycling the 3D glasses and having you put them back in the bin after the movie, I kept them thinking they’d come in handy. Of course I was wrong. The only ones I kept were the Harry Potter shaped ones from the last film.
My older sister Vera bought a Sony MiniDisc Player and it was actually pretty cool because it was an in-between of CD’s and mp3 players. You could change/import various files on it, and she’d let me borrow it all the time. But the only thing I really got to keep was the wristband for it. Yeah…
I like this shirt, but it fits weird at certain parts. It’s one of those articles of clothing that I buy and still keep to wear “after I lose the weight.” I probably should just get rid of all of those.
At my previous job as a Media Arts Specialist/Teacher, I was in charge of a ton of media equipment to maintain. From cameras to laptops to video camcorders and a billion cables, I was left with a ton of them that are just sitting in my room. These are very limited ones, and mostly the same ones. But if it interests you, please let me know.
And last but not least, my trusty printer I’ve had since I began college. Despite its limited capabilities, it has served me well.
WOW sister, this is a tough list. Very proud of you.
Oh noz! Not the cute raccoon!
Hey….can I have Death Proof if you don’t want it? We each got the other DVD for a gift…I can complete my collection. I’d like to see some women kick some butt again if you don’t mind. Or is this bending the rules??
JUSTFIVELETTERS 
Hey! This is an awesome idea! Go you!
Your laser scissors are pretty intense.
How are you getting rid of all these?
= )
Hey Brian!
Haha yeah…those laser scissors were awesome. Well, ideally lol.
Actually I’m thinking of donating what I can’t give to people around me. You interested in anything. Hahaha
WOW sister, this is a tough list. Very proud of you.
Oh noz! Not the cute raccoon!
Hey….can I have Death Proof if you don’t want it? We each got the other DVD for a gift…I can complete my collection. I’d like to see some women kick some butt again if you don’t mind. Or is this bending the rules??
Dude of course you can have it! Lol you can’t resist my words. But don’t keep tabs on my life please…
Oh and yeah…I read your blog.
That’s awesome, Amy! What a great idea to live simply and to focus in on Jesus. I may do this next Lent or start now. (=
I’m afraid to ask you for anything because I know it’ll just end up being part of my clutter that I sacrifice for Lent in 4 years.